A boiler unit comprises an enclosure including: a first circuit of a first fluid heat exchange medium, the first circuit having a heating device to heat the first medium, a boost heat exchanger, a valve and a first manifold; a second circuit of a second heating system fluid heat exchange medium, the second circuit having a flow and return port of the boiler unit, a second manifold and said boost heat exchanger for exchange of heat between said first and second heat exchanger media when said valve is open; a space in the enclosure receiving an auxiliary unit to be driven substantially exclusively by said first fluid heat exchange medium; and a boiler control unit to control operation of the heating device according to heat demand of the heating device and otherwise irrespective of the auxiliary unit when connected; and an organic rankine cycle (ORC) unit comprising: a third fluid heat exchange medium circuit, the circuit including a condenser adapted for connection to said second manifold to provide heat to said second circuit, a pump to circulate said third medium, an evaporator adapted for connection to said first manifold to heat said third medium and a rotary expander connected to an electricity generator; and an auxiliary control unit to control the ORC unit and operate said valve.
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7. A boiler unit comprising an enclosure including:
(i) a first circuit of a first fluid heat exchange medium, the first circuit having:
a heating device to heat the first fluid heat exchange medium;
a first pair of connection points;
a boost heat exchanger arranged in the first circuit in parallel to the first pair of connection points; and
a valve arranged to control a flow of the first fluid heat exchange medium through the boost heat exchanger;
(ii) a second circuit of a second fluid heat exchange medium, wherein the second fluid heat exchange medium is a heating system fluid exchange medium, the second circuit having:
an output port and an input port of the boiler unit; and
a second pair of connection points arranged in series in the second circuit;
(iii) an auxiliary unit that is removably connectable to the first pair of connection points and the second pair of connection point's such that the auxiliary unit is thermally drivable by the first fluid, heat exchange medium and provides a thermal bridge between the first circuit and the second circuit; and
(iv) a boiler control unit to control operation of the heating device;
wherein:
the boost heat exchanger is arranged to exchange heat between said first and second heat exchange media when said valve is open;
the boiler control unit is adapted to control operation of the heating device according to heat demand upon the heating device, independently of operation of the auxiliary unit; and
wherein said auxiliary unit comprises an absorption driven air conditioning unit comprising a heat pump forming a heat drain and adapted for connection to said first pair of connection points and to be driven by said first fluid heat exchange medium, and a source of refrigerant to be cooled by said heat pump.
1. A boiler unit comprising an enclosure including:
(i) a first circuit of a first fluid heat exchange medium, the first circuit having:
a heating device to heat the first fluid heat exchange medium;
a first pair of connection points;
a boost heat exchanger arranged in the first circuit in parallel to the first pair of connection points; and
a valve arranged to control a flow of the first fluid heat exchange medium through the boost heat exchanger;
(ii) a second circuit of a second fluid heat exchange medium, wherein the second fluid heat exchange medium is a heating system fluid exchange medium, the second circuit having:
an output port and an input port of the boiler unit; and
a second pair of connection points arranged in series in the second circuit;
(iii) an auxiliary unit that is removably connectable to the first pair of connection points and the second pair of connection points such that the auxiliary unit is thermally drivable by the first fluid heat exchange medium and provides a thermal bridge between the first circuit and the second circuit; and
(iv) a boiler control unit to control operation of the heating device;
wherein:
the boost heat exchanger is arranged to exchange heat between said first and second heat exchange media when said valve is open;
the boiler control unit is adapted to control operation of the heating device according to heat demand upon the heating device, independently of operation of the auxiliary unit; and
wherein said auxiliary unit further comprises an organic rankine cycle (ORC) unit comprising:
a third fluid heat exchange medium circuit, the third heat exchange medium circuit including a condenser adapted for connection to said second pair of connection points to provide heat to said second circuit, a pump to circulate said third medium, an evaporator forming a heat drain and adapted for connection to said first pair of connection points to heat said third medium and a rotary expander connected to an electricity generator; and
an auxiliary control unit to control the ORC unit and operate said valve.
2. A boiler unit as claimed in
3. A boiler unit as claimed in
4. A boiler unit as claimed in
5. A boiler unit as claimed in
6. A boiler unit as claimed in
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This application is a U.S. national stage application under 35 U.S.C. §371 of PCT International Application Serial No. PCT/GB2011/052127, which has an international filing date of Nov. 2, 2011, designates the United States of America, and claims the benefit of GB Application No. 1018483.6, which was filed on Nov. 2, 2010. The disclosures of each of these prior applications are hereby expressly incorporated by reference in their entirety.
This invention relates to a modular heating system. In particular to a domestic heating system, or a system of generally small capacity, that has the capability of performing additional functions. It also relates to a mounting arrangement for a vibratory component, especially of a pump or motor in a domestic heating system.
Domestic heating systems generally involve a unit that is euphemistically described as a boiler, and which may be wall mounted or self-standing. It is generally the central unit of the heating system, and the output is generally hot water that is used either indirectly for heating a hot water circuit (for hot water dispensed from taps and showers), usually referred to as DHW, and directly, for space, or central, heating of the building in which the boiler is located, usually referred to as CH. Of course, direct supply of DHW is also possible in “combi” arrangements.
The source of power for such boilers may be gas or another fuel or another source.
Increasingly there is a demand for local electricity generation and the economics of such generation are beginning to make sense. WO-A-2003/014534 describes an integrated micro combined heat and power (CHP) system, in which a conventional boiler is provided with a steam circuit that provides heat to an organic rankine cycle (ORC) machine that employs a scroll as the expander, the scroll driving a generator to generate electricity. The present invention relates especially, although not exclusively, to such an arrangement.
However, there are also other potential capabilities required of a boiler such as provision within the appliance of a thermal store, or of an air conditioning unit, for example. Also, it is desirable to render boilers adaptable.
WO-A-2010/061190 discloses a boiler unit housed in an enclosure configured to receive a solid state combined heat and power unit or a rankine or stirling engine (CHP device), wherein the boiler unit comprises a heat generating device and a control unit to independently control the heat generating device and the CHP device, wherein the boiler unit is operable without the CHP device being present.
GB-A-2376271 discloses a similar arrangement.
In accordance with the present invention there is provided a boiler unit comprising an enclosure including:
Said auxiliary unit being “driven substantially exclusively by said first fluid heat exchange medium” means that no additional power beyond any control of the auxiliary unit is employed by the auxiliary unit, which derives its energy required to perform its substantive purpose exclusively from said first fluid heat exchange medium. Thus the present invention employs a single source of heat for both the second circuit, which might conveniently be the domestic hot water and central heating circuit of a residence or building, and the auxiliary unit. This renders control of the appliance relatively very simple, requiring only traditional boiler heating controls with which an existing skilled person (for example a CORGI registered fitter in the United Kingdom) would be familiar.
Said auxiliary unit may comprise an organic rankine cycle (ORC) unit comprising:
In this mode, a boiler incorporating an ORC unit is a micro CHP unit where all the energy delivered (ie heat and electricity) is provided by said heating device. In one arrangement, the heating device is a combustion chamber incorporating a heat exchange coil for transmitting heat from combustion products to said first heat exchange medium. A feature of the present invention can be that the boost heat exchanger is sufficient to transfer substantially all of the heat delivered by the first heat exchange medium to the second heat exchange medium. This means that, when the ORC unit is not connected, there is no loss of heat capacity of the system.
The auxiliary unit is simply another heat load on the system, so the boiler control is unaffected by its inclusion. Of course, whatever unit is installed has its own control, which does integrate with the first and second circuits to some extent in operating the boost exchanger valve in the first circuit.
Moreover, when the auxiliary unit, whatever it is, is not connected, the valve is normally open, the auxiliary control unit serving to close the valve so that heat of the first heat exchange fluid can transfer to the third heat exchange medium. Preferably, when the auxiliary unit is an ORC unit and it is connected in the boiler unit, the valve is closed until the ORC unit cannot meet all the heat demand of the second heat exchanger.
Thus, the system is heat-led. When started, the boiler transfers all heat called for by the second circuit to the first heat exchange fluid and then to the third heat exchange fluid, said valve being closed by the ORC control unit. Indeed, more heat is generated than necessary for the second circuit, the excess being used by the ORC unit to generate electricity. The ORC unit is rated to deliver the anticipated average functioning heat load of the second circuit. This means that during peak load, the ORC unit cannot deliver sufficient heat. In this circumstance, the heat output of the heating device is increased towards its maximum output and at the same time the valve is opened to divert some of the first heat exchange fluid to the boost heat exchanger, so that further heat can be delivered to the third heat exchange fluid.
Alternatively, said auxiliary unit may comprise a thermal store comprising a tank to include said second heating system fluid heat exchange medium and adapted for connection to said second manifold. Optionally, said tank includes a tank heat exchanger forming said heat drain and adapted for connection to said first manifold and a thermal control unit comprising a thermostat to monitor the temperature of the second medium in the tank and a valve to limit flow of said first heat medium in the tank heat exchanger.
Alternatively, said auxiliary unit may comprise an absorption driven air conditioning unit comprising a heat pump forming said heat drain and adapted for connection to said first manifold and to be driven by said first heat exchange medium, and a source of refrigerant to be cooled by said heat pump.
Thus, in accordance with the present invention, a boiler unit can be supplied with or without an auxiliary unit, which can be supplied and fitted subsequently.
Indeed, in one arrangement, multiple slots or spaces could be provided in the boiler unit to accept multiple auxiliary units, each adapted to be driven by heat from the first circuit. Alternatively, one slot may be adapted to receive an ORC unit as described above and a second slot be adapted to receive an additional heat generation auxiliary unit, such as an ambient source heat pump, or a solar heat source, whereby the energy required to drive the ORC unit may be shared between the additional heat generation auxiliary unit and the first circuit.
Preferably, said boiler unit comprises a mount for fitment of said auxiliary control unit separate from said space.
Preferably, said first fluid heat exchange medium is water and steam operating under pressure and being gravity driven. Thus said boost heat exchanger, and the heat drain of said auxiliary unit when present, are above the heating device so that water in the heating device boils and turns to steam which rises to said boost exchanger where the steam condenses and falls back to the heating device as water. The pressure may be in the region of 6 or 7 Bar and the temperature of operation peaking at about 150° C.
In accordance with an aspect of the present invention there is provided and organic rankine cycle module comprising a control unit and a frame in which frame is mounted:
In accordance with a different aspect, there is provided a mounting in a frame for a vibrating unit having a longitudinal axis, the mounting comprising mounts on either side of said longitudinal axis in an axis plane and each mount lying in a mount plane substantially perpendicular said axis plane, wherein at least one mount comprises a pair of brackets, one unit bracket for fixed connection to the unit and the other frame bracket for connection in the frame, each bracket defining mounting faces that lie in bracket planes parallel said mount plane but spaced from one another, resilient blocks disposed between facing mounting faces the unit and frame brackets to support the unit in the frame when connected therein, wherein said mounting faces are inclined with respect to said mount frame and to said axis frame, whereby pairs of said resilient blocks on either side of said axis plane are inclined oppositely with respect to one another.
Preferably, the mounts are substantially identical on either side of an orthogonal axis plane being orthogonal said axis plane and containing said longitudinal axis, wherein pairs of said resilient blocks on either side of orthogonal said axis plane are inclined oppositely with respect to one another.
Preferably, there are pairs of said resilient blocks in a said mount on either side of a gravity plane being a plane orthogonal to each of said axis plane and orthogonal axis plane, said gravity plane being arranged to be substantially horizontal when the unit is mounted in the frame, wherein said pairs of said resilient blocks on either side of said gravity plane are parallel inclined.
Embodiments of the invention are further described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Referring to
The combustion chamber includes a primary heat exchanger HX (see
Turning to
First circuit 100 comprises pipes 31a-f, which lead from the heat exchanger HX and complete the circuit through a boost heat exchanger 33. An expansion vessel E controls pressure in the first circuit. Motive force for the circuit is gravitational, since the steam rises from the combustion chamber 16 and condenses in the boost exchanger 33 which is at the top of the unit. In the embodiment shown, a branch 35a of steam pipe 31a leads to an evaporator 49 of an organic rankine cycle unit 50, described further below. A return branch 35b reconnects to the water return pipe 31e. A boost valve 36 controls flow through the boost exchanger 33. A recuperator 38 warms return water and cools exhaust gases exiting the base of the combustion chamber and exiting through flue root 20a.
Second circuit 200 comprises the boost exchanger 33 being supplied with a central heating (CH) and/or domestic hot water (DHW) from return pipe 41a. This first enters a recuperator 42 where exhaust gases leaving the combustion chamber 16 are finally cooled for exit through flue root 20a and some initial warmth is given to the return flow in pipe 41a. After exit from the recuperator, the return flow is in pipe 41c, which is connected to a condenser 52 in an ORC unit 50, described further below, assuming that is connected. When the ORC unit is not connected, instead, a bypass pipe 41b is connected to the exit of the recuperator 42, which bypass is also connected to the boost heat exchanger 33. If the ORC unit is present, exit pipe 41d from the condenser 52 connects instead to the boost heat exchanger 33. In either case, the circuit is completed by pipe 41f becoming the flow pipe of the central heating and/or how water system.
ORC unit 50 is a replaceable module having a frame 54 in which its components are mounted. The third ORC circuit consists of pipes 44a-f. Pipe 44a exits a pump 46 that delivers liquid organic heat exchange fluid (of which there are many available, although pentane is a suitable choice) to a regenerator 48 that heats the fluid a first stage. Exit pipe 44b delivers the warmer fluid to an evaporator 49 which adds further heat and boils the organic fluid under the influence of steam passing through the other side of the evaporator 49 in the steam circuit 100. The now vaporous organic fluid passes through pipe 44c to an expander 47, conveniently in the form of a scroll. The scroll may be connected to a generator 45. Indeed, the generator and scroll expander 47 may be integrated in a single unit 45/47, as it is in the embodiment illustrated in
Thus the mode of operation and major transport of heat is from the combustion chamber to the steam circuit 100; from there to the ORC circuit 300 by exchange in the evaporator 49; and from the ORC circuit 300 to the central heating circuit 200 via the condenser 52. The bridge that circuit 300 represents between the steam circuit 100 and central heating circuit 200 is limited in its heat capacity. It may be limited by any of a number of the different components. The capacity of the circuit needs to be rated at a typical level that provides a) a useful quantity of electricity from the expander/generator 45/47 and b) provides most of the heat requirement for the CH/DHW circuit 200. However, it should not have any greater capacity than that, however, as efficiency is thereby compromised. However, in the event that more heat than the circuit 300 can provide is needed by the CH/DHW circuit, a boiler control unit 70 (discussed further below) opens the valve 36 and permits steam also to enter the boost heat exchanger 33 so that direct connection between the circuits 100,200 is achieved, as well as via the bridge circuit 300. Of course, as discussed above, if the ORC unit is not employed, then the boost heat exchanger is the only link between the steam and CH/DHW circuits 100,200.
Returning to
Turning to
It is to be noted that a micro CHP unit such as disclosed in
Turning to
Accordingly, a mount 110 (see
Using the x,y,z co-ordinate system, where the z axis contains the axis 120 and the mounts 110a,b are spaced from each other in the z,y plane, the arrangement is such that the intersections of the axes 118 with the faces 115 of the bracket 114 all lie in a plane parallel the x,z plane. The same is true of the faces 117 of the bracket 112. However, such planes of intersection of the faces 115,117 (in respect of a given mount 110a,b) are spaced from each other in the y direction. Moreover, the faces 117 are in pairs on either side of the z,y plane, in a direction parallel the z axis. They are also in pairs on opposite sides of the z,y plane, in a direction parallel the x axis. Finally, the axis 118 of each pair of facing faces 115,117 is inclined with respect to all three planes, ie the zy, z,x and x,y planes. Indeed, preferably, they lie along lines parallel the line given by the equation x=y=z or in directions perpendicular thereto.
The arrangement is such that the unit 45/47 is not rigidly mounted in any direction but has freedom of movement, that is to say is reliantly supported, in all directions in the x,y,z space. Thus considering any given orthogonal plane, x,y, x,z or zy, the mounting arrangement permits translational movement in the x, y or z direction, or rotational movement about the x, y or z axis in each plane, each movement leading to compression or extension of the rubber blocks 116.
With reference to
In
In
Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the words “comprise” and “contain” and variations of them mean “including but not limited to”, and they are not intended to (and do not) exclude other moieties, additives, components, integers or steps. Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the singular encompasses the plural unless the context otherwise requires. In particular, where the indefinite article is used, the specification is to be understood as contemplating plurality as well as singularity, unless the context requires otherwise.
Features, integers, characteristics, compounds, chemical moieties or groups described in conjunction with a particular aspect, embodiment or example of the invention are to be understood to be applicable to any other aspect, embodiment or example described herein unless incompatible therewith. All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive. The invention is not restricted to the details of any foregoing embodiments. The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.
The reader's attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.
Henshaw, Iain, Bannister, John J, Barker, Geoffrey M, Whitechurch, Timothy, Bright, Neil S.
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Nov 02 2011 | Energetix Genlec Limited | (assignment on the face of the patent) | / | |||
Aug 28 2013 | BRIGHT, NEIL S | Energetix Genlec Limited | ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 031490 | /0526 | |
Sep 03 2013 | BANNISTER, JOHN J | Energetix Genlec Limited | ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 031490 | /0526 | |
Sep 03 2013 | BARKER, GEOFFREY M | Energetix Genlec Limited | ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 031490 | /0526 | |
Sep 03 2013 | HENSHAW, IAIN | Energetix Genlec Limited | ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 031490 | /0526 | |
Sep 03 2013 | WHITECHURCH, TIMOTHY | Energetix Genlec Limited | ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 031490 | /0526 |
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